Despite the Litigation, Skyrim References Minecraft

Bethesda recently took issue with the name of Mojang's new game, Scrolls.

By now you've likely heard all about the ongoing litigation between Bethesda and Mojang, developers of the Elder Scrolls series and Minecraft, respectively. While there is clearly some disagreement between the two when it comes to game names, that didn't dissuade Bethesda from including what appears to be an homage to Minecraft in the newly-released Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

The issues between the two companies don't actually involve Minecraft. It's Mojang's next game, the collectible card/board game hybrid Scrolls, that Bethesda has taken issue with, and it's largely due to its name. Bethesda feels 'Scrolls' is too close to 'The Elder Scrolls' and wants the name changed. Persson recommended this be settled with a friendly game of Quake 3 (a game developed by id Software, which is owned by Bethesda parent company ZeniMax Media), though the issue instead went to court. An interim injunction was won by Mojang last month, with Bethesda given the option of appealing the decision.

While that is all going on, Skyrim players (including Reddit user mrconty) discovered an interesting Easter egg. Located at the top of the Throat of the World in Skyrim, players can find what's pictured above: the Notched Pickaxe. It's not especially heavy or powerful as a weapon, though it is worth a decent amount and grants bonuses like shock damage and a boost to Smithing abilities.

The pickaxe is one of the most commonly used tools in Minecraft, but a pickaxe alone wouldn't be much of a reference -- it's the "Notched" part that players believe is a reference. Minecraft creator Markus Persson goes by the nickname Notch, so naturally, Notched Pickaxe.

The gesture isn't likely to result in Mojang suddenly surrendering the Scrolls name. It is nice, however, to see that there doesn't appear to be any bad blood towards the Minecraft maker from Bethesda's side, at least from the developers themselves.

Ummmm.....

I think they were thinking more of notched as in damaged than as a Minecraft reference, unless they knew Minecraft and the lawsuit was coming, since notched items, including pickaxes, have been included in all the past Elder Scroll games

That's cool

Well...

It's an unfortunate situation and honestly I think this reference is more of an appology from the devs. Bethesda didn't have much of a choice but to raise some hell about the name Scrolls. When you have a copyright on something you have to show aggression from time to time in maintaining it. Having a history of litigation is important so if you go out to prevent another AAA company from producing a game called Eler Scroll:Skyram, The court will see that you have a history of defending your copyright and it'll make for a much easier time. Otherwise a lack of litigation could work against you in such cases, at least, by my (rather limited) understanding.

Bethesda didn't want to make a stink, they just kinda had to. And now we have this olive branch.